Sarah BretzThinking about setting sail but aren’t quite sure what’s free on a cruise? You’re not alone, as it can get confusing even to seasoned cruisers who may be trying a new line for the first time. While cruise lines vary in what they include in their base fare, there are lots of inclusions that are pretty standard across the cruise industry as a whole — as well as some hidden gems.
Here, we’re taking a look at some of the more obvious things included on a cruise, as well as unexpected amenities, souvenirs, and privileges that you can also get for free on board.
30 Things You Can Get For Free on a Cruise
1. Stationery and/or postcards
Many cruise ships have free stationery including paper, envelopes, and even postcards that guests can use. Sometimes you might find these items already in your cabin, while other times you can get letter-writing supplies at guest services. If you’d like, you can even buy postage stamps from guest services and have the ship mail your letters or postcards for you.
2. Shareholder onboard credit
While not technically free since you do have to buy stock, several cruise companies (Royal Caribbean Group, Carnival Corporation, and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings) offer onboard credit to guests who have at least 100 shares in their company.
This applies to each company’s entire family of brands too, not just the namesake line. So if you have 100+ shares of RCL stock, you can get onboard credit on your next Celebrity cruise. If you have 100+ shares of CCL, you can get onboard credit on your next Holland America sailing. The amount of onboard credit you receive generally correlates to the length of your cruise.
3. Use of irons and ironing boards
While self-service laundry rooms do cost money to use (detergent and using the washers/dryers), many cruisers don’t realize that they can iron for free. Cruise ship laundry rooms typically have at least one iron and ironing board. Since guests are prohibited from bringing steamers and irons with them on board, this is the best way to make sure your clothes have crisp lines for formal night. Just note that not every cruise line has self-service laundry rooms, so be sure to check before you set sail.
4. Stateroom extras
Traveling with someone who loves a cold cabin at night but you’re freezing? You can ask your cabin steward for extra blankets. Need more pillows or hoping for a firmer one? Ask your cabin steward. Many passengers don’t know that you can ask for additional things for your cabin to make your experience more comfortable. Common additions include mattress toppers, extra/different pillows, extra hangers, and blankets.
Many cruise lines also include free use of items like bathrobes and umbrellas during your cruise.
5. Room service continental breakfast
While room service (no matter the time of day) used to be completely free on most cruise lines, in recent years more have begun charging fees either per-item or per-order. However, continental breakfast room service continues to be part of what’s free on a cruise. Standard continental breakfast items include things like muffins, pastries, croissants, fresh fruit, yogurt, cold cereal, toast, and basic coffee, tea, milk, and juices. On most lines, you order by filling out a menu door hanger the night before with the items you want. They should then be delivered during your chosen timeframe the next morning.
6. Casino gaming lessons
Did you know that you can take gaming lessons in the ship’s casino, and they won’t cost you a dime? Typically offered towards the beginning of the cruise or just before the casino opens for the day, you can take no-stakes lessons on table games like roulette, blackjack, craps, and poker. Of course, these lessons are offered in the hopes that you’ll gain some gaming confidence and return to play for real money when the casino is open.
7. Basic toiletries
Your cabin bathroom will include the basics: shampoo, body wash, and soap. But if you forgot to pack something else you need, the ship might have you covered there, too. The ship’s shop will sell toiletries and amenities that guests might need throughout the cruise, but they can also help you out in a pinch at guest services. You can ask for things like toothbrushes, tiny tubes of toothpaste, razors, and even over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or antacids. Not every ship will necessarily have what you need, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.
This is especially helpful if you’re docked in port and the ship’s shops aren’t open (as they can’t be open unless you’re out at sea). If what guest services gives you can get you by, purchase what you need in your next port and not in the onboard shop — it will be much cheaper on land!
8. Use of the app
Even if you don’t purchase a wifi package, you’ll still be able to use all (or nearly all) of the features on your cruise line’s mobile app. As your ship sets sail, turn on airplane mode, then turn on wifi and connect to the ship’s network. You’ll be able to use the app for things like viewing restaurant menus, making reservations, viewing ship maps, looking at the daily schedule, and chatting with guest services.
The feature that sometimes costs a small fee is the ability to chat with friends and family that are onboard through the app. However, this can be a great function to purchase if you need it because it’s much cheaper than buying a wifi package for everyone.
9. Water slides
Many mainstream cruise ships from lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line feature top-deck waterslides; some even offer a full water park with other water play activities. These family-friendly attractions and splash zones are completely free to enjoy and are the perfect activity on a hot, sunny day.
10. Food in the main dining rooms and buffet
One of the best parts about cruising is how much different food is free on a cruise. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the main dining room are complimentary. There, you’ll find a variety of rotating dishes as well as some classics that remain the same throughout the voyage. You aren’t restricted to one appetizer, one entree, and one dessert, either. If you want a meal consisting of all appetizers or you want two desserts, you can do that. If you want two entrees one night, you can do that completely free (on most lines; some do charge for a second entree). Taking a cruise is a great way to try new foods, because you know you won’t be paying for something you might not enjoy.
The ship’s buffet is also included. There, you’ll find everything from carved meats and pastas to salads, Asian stir-fry, sandwiches, sides, baked goods, and desserts. The buffet is many guests’ go-to for breakfast and lunch, as well as passengers who want a more casual dinner. The best part is that some options at the buffet also rotate throughout the cruise, so you never know what you’ll find from day-to-day.
11. Kids’ clubs and activities
Mainstream cruise lines feature activities and spaces exclusively for kids and teens that are included in the fare. Kids’ clubs often feature bright colors and theming, and are divided into different areas based on age group. Tweens and teens often have their own spaces, as well. Youth activities that take place in the clubs and around the ship include things like scavenger hunts, dance parties, crafts, storytimes, sports and video game tournaments, and other group activities.
12. Seasickness medicine
While many guests can barely even feel a cruise ship moving most of the time, seasickness can and does happen to some passengers. If you find yourself feeling nauseous or dizzy because of the motion of the ocean and didn’t pack any type of relief, don’t panic. You can actually go down to the medical center and get some seasickness medicine — typically dramamine — completely free. Cruise lines and their staff don’t want passengers feeling ill, so they make sure to provide an easy solution when the movement can be a bit too much.
13. Many non-alcoholic beverages
While it’s well known that alcohol is not included on most cruise lines, you’ll still find several basic beverages that don’t cost you anything extra. These include lemonade, juice, hot and iced tea, ice water, drip coffee, milk, and hot chocolate. Disney Cruise Line and Virgin Voyages even include soda with their cruise fare.
14. Comedy shows
Cruise lines invite comedians onto their ships for short stints at a time, meaning passengers are always getting fresh comedy whenever they set sail. Sometimes, multiple comedians will perform throughout the course of a cruise! They’ll often perform in a smaller multi-purpose entertainment venue for a more intimate experience, or in the ship’s theater so more people can attend. And sometimes they’re well-known names, with resumes that include performances on late-night TV, Comedy Central, and Netflix.
Comedy shows are one of the most popular forms of entertainment on a cruise, and are a great included perk. After all, how often can you attend a stand-up comedy show from a well-known comedian for free?!
15. Ice cream
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ICE CREAM! A staple cruise snack option, soft-serve ice cream machines are available on most cruise major lines throughout the day and into the evening. While they’re nothing fancy — typically just vanilla, chocolate, and twist with little to no topping options — grabbing an ice cream on your way through the pool deck is a classic cruise experience that won’t cost you anything.
16. Mini golf
What’s free on a cruise? Mini golf, of course! Putt-putt courses can be found aboard both mainstream and luxury ships. Of course, you’ll find the larger and more themed courses on larger ships, while smaller luxury vessels might just have a putting green or two. Either way, it’s a fun family activity whether you’re on land or at sea, made better at sea by the fact that you won’t have to pay anything extra to play (except on select NCL ships).
17. Spa thermal suite access (sometimes)
The spa’s thermal suite is full of relaxing amenities, including things like a sauna, steam room, hydrotherapy pool, heated loungers, and more. On most lines, access to this thermal area costs you extra. The exception is Viking, which includes its thermal spa area in the cruise fare. However, some other lines have special stateroom categories that do include complimentary access to the thermal suite. Examples include Carnival’s Cloud 9 Spa staterooms, Celebrity’s Aqua Class staterooms, and MSC’s Aurea Spa staterooms.
18. Pizza and burgers
In addition to the main dining room and buffet, there are other dining venues that offer complimentary meals and snacks throughout the day. Notably, the poolside grill serves quick-casual options like burgers, hot dogs, and fries. Lines might have other complimentary quick-service venues too, offering things like tacos and burritos, barbecue, and chicken tenders.
And of course, it would hardly be a cruise without a pizza counter. Often available from morning until late at night, these hot and ready slices are the go-to snacks for many hungry cruisers.
19. Distilled water for medical devices
If you need distilled water for a medical device (such as a CPAP machine), you can request it for free on most cruise lines. You may also be able to request distilled water for free for baby formula, though guests are more likely to have to pay a nominal fee if it’s not being used for a medical device. Of course, you can also bring distilled water with you onto the ship, provided it’s packed in your carry-on luggage.
20. First-run movies
Pretty much all cruise lines show movies in some way or another. They’re always available on stateroom TVs, and are often shown on the large screen on the pool deck in the evening and or on a sea day, too. Some ships even have dedicated movie theaters! While not every line offers first-run movies, some — namely Disney and Royal Caribbean — do. If you’re headed out on a Disney cruise and really want to catch that new movie Disney released last week, chances are they’ll be showing it in the movie theater on board. You’re getting the full movie theater experience — or a unique watching experience under the stars — completely included in your cruise fare.
21. Fitness center and sports courts
Most cruise ships feature a gym filled with cardio and weight-training equipment, as well as space for mat work. The equipment and space there is completely free for guests to use, and the gym is typically open from early in the morning to late at night. You’ll also find at least one sports court on your ship, typically a multi-purpose space that can be used for games like basketball, pickleball, and volleyball.
Some cruise lines and some specific stateroom categories might even include free fitness classes.
22. Competition prizes
Cruise ships hold a variety of activities throughout the voyage where you might have the opportunity to win prizes, and they don’t cost any money to participate. The most popular examples are trivia and game shows, the latter of which can even include participation prizes for everyone who plays — even if they aren’t the winner. Prizes might include things like medals, “ship on a stick” trophies (popular on Carnival), bottles of champagne, logo merchandise, and onboard credit.
You can also attend shopping events on board where everyone who attends is entered into a raffle for a prize, such as a piece of jewelry from the jewelry shop.
23. Cabin upgrades
If you book a guarantee cabin, you won’t necessarily be assigned a stateroom within that category. While the cruise line won’t bump you DOWN a category, they can and often do bump guests up. For example, if you book a guarantee oceanview cabin, you could be assigned a balcony. If you book a mini-suite, you might get extra lucky and be bumped up to a full-size one. The best part is, this type of stateroom upgrade costs you absolutely nothing extra!
24. Use of beach towels
You might find them in your cabin, or at a towel station out on the pool deck. Either way, your cruise line will always provide beach towels for you to use throughout the voyage. So, there’s no need for you to bring towels from home. You’re even able to bring towels ashore for beach breaks or private island visits — just don’t forget to bring them back or you’ll be charged a fee!
25. Religious services
Many cruise ships offer religious services on Sundays and on certain holidays, which are open to all passengers to attend. However, there is a caveat — most of the time, these services are organized by guests with the permission and assistance of the cruise line. Therefore they won’t necessarily be offered on every ship every Sunday, even if there was one on your last cruise aboard the same vessel.
With that being said, cruise lines WILL often offer services for major religious holidays like Christmas, Easter, and Hanukkah — no guest organizing required.
26. Ropes course
Some of the world’s largest cruise lines — namely Carnival, Norwegian, and MSC Cruises — feature ropes courses on several of their ships. These up-in-the-sky experiences will have your adrenaline pumping and your legs wobbling as you navigate through various sections of the ropes course. You typically pick whether you want an easy or hard difficulty level, meaning this activity is perfect for both beginners and experts alike.
27. Theater and musical entertainment
Cruise ships are filled with entertainment throughout the day and into the late-night hours, and they’re one of the best parts of what’s free on a cruise. Live music can be found around the ship, at places like the pool deck, the atrium, and in various bars and lounges. The theater hosts bigger productions like musicals, revues, acrobatic performances, game shows, and more at no extra cost. That’s right, dinner and a show are included every night of your cruise!
28. Adults-only sundeck or solarium
While not every ship features a complimentary adults-only sundeck or solarium, you’ll find them on several mainstream cruise lines. Examples include Carnival, Disney, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean. These kid-free havens are perfect for hanging out, reading a book, having some cocktails, and enjoying some relaxing time in the pool or hot tub.
29. Art prints
One of the ways cruise lines boost attendance at their onboard art auctions is by offering a free art print to everyone who shows up. While these prints are virtually worthless, they can still be a fun souvenir of your trip. And who knows — it may end up being a print that you really love and want to hang up!
30. Loyalty perks
If you start moving up the tiers in a cruise line’s loyalty program, the mid-to-high tiers start including freebies during your sailing. While each line’s loyalty programs and perks are a bit different, there are some things that are included with higher tiers across several lines. Examples include specialty and alcoholic drinks, limited laundry service (like one bag’s worth of clothes), stateroom upgrades, cocktail hours with free drinks, specialty dining meals, and wifi access. Some lines’ highest tier even includes a free cruise!
Bonus Perk!
Many cruise lines also have their own private islands that are free to visit if your itinerary calls there. These exclusive destinations are mostly in the Bahamas and Caribbean. While what’s free at each destination varies, guests can go ashore at no charge and have access to the beach and lounge chairs at mimimum, sometimes even pools. Many private destinations include complimentary lunch options as well. Some onboard drink packages even work at these destinations, including Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay and MSC’s Ocean Cay.
Comments
Do you have anything else to add to this list of what’s free on cruises? What are your go-to freebies when you sail? Drop us an anchor below to share your cruise tips.
